# complexion

/kəmˈpɫɛkʃən/ (US) · /kəmplˈɛkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/complexion
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. skin appearance

noun · CEFR B2

the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin on your face.

For teachers: the natural color, texture, and general appearance of the skin on a person's face.

- She has a very clear complexion because she drinks a lot of water.
- The dermatologist noted that the patient's ruddy complexion was likely a result of chronic sun exposure rather than a systemic illness.

### 3. historical temperament

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

an old medical idea about a person's physical and mental balance.

For teachers: the combination of bodily humours formerly believed to determine a person's health and temperament.

- In the past, doctors believed a person's complexion was determined by their blood.
- Medieval medical texts often categorized patients by their complexion, linking physical traits to the four humours of the body.

## Examples

- She has a very clear and healthy complexion.
- Spending too much time in the sun without protection can damage your complexion and cause early wrinkles.
- The sudden withdrawal of foreign investment changed the entire complexion of the national economy, forcing the government to reconsider its long-term fiscal strategy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.